Beyond the Black River

"Beyond the Black River" by Robert E. (Robert Ervin) Howard is a thrilling fantasy novella from the early 20th century starring Conan, a powerful barbarian, amidst a violent war with the Picts, a savage tribe endangering frontier settlers. It tells a story of survival while investigating the issues of colliding societies. As the story opens, a young man called Balthus treads carefully along a forest trail close to Thunder River. He is aware of the dangers. He then encounters Conan, a powerful warrior who has just survived a Pict attack. Balthus witnesses the looming threat that the Picts give, the broader effect this poses to the settlement. As the pair warn a fort of the impending doom, magic, betrayal, and scary creatures are discovered.